DADS OF DOUGLAS COUNTY

Dad Days are back!  In honor of Father's Day, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Douglas County is partnering with Dads of Douglas County for a weekend of fun activities!

June 14 (7pm)- Dad Days Film Festival with panel discussion (Oread)-The film being featured is Absent, a documentary about fatherlessness.  After the film, a panel will discuss the importance of fathers, as well as the impact a Big Brother or Big Sister can make in a child’s life.  

June 15 (10 am-2 pm)- Dad Days Party in the Park (Watson Park)-Children’s activities, live music and food will be available for your enjoyment.  Big Brothers Big Sisters will be hosting a station to recruit volunteers and to talk about our program!

June 15 (6pm)- Build your own Pizza (Oread)-Fun opportunity for matches, the chef will be available to help Bigs/Littles, along with other families to create a perfect pizza masterpiece.

June 15 (8:00pm)- Dad Days Film Festival-The film being featured is Unconditional, a drama inspired by the life and ministry of Papa Joe Bradford, the founder of Elijah’s Hope Ministry in Nashville. 

We hope to see you out there, Lawrence!  Check out Dads of Douglas County's website for more information on how you can get involved!  http://www.dadsofdouglascounty.org/daddays/

OPEN HOUSE AND SUMMER PICNIC 2013

We would like to welcome the community to join us for a ribbon cutting ceremony on June 18th at 4:30 p.m., followed by an open house, snacks and socializing!  We are located at 2518 Ridge Court.

Also...come one, come all to the Big Brothers Big Sisters Summer Picnic extravaganza! This year we have decided to avoid the late-summer blaze by combining our open house with our annual picnic for the families and matches in our program. The picnic will held after the ribbon cutting ceremony on June 18th at 5:30 p.m. As they say, come for the elephants, but stay for the food. Although the details will remain a secret for now, the picnic will take place in the field behind the United Way Center and will include food and fun in a “carnival-like” atmosphere.  Space is limited to the first 200 people who RSVP with our office.  Call us at 785-843-7359 to RSVP!  Parking available in the United Way back lot,off 25th St., as well as street parking.

Bowl For Kids' Sake

Bowl For Kids’ Sake is Big Brothers Big Sisters’ largest fundraiser of the year. A great way to support the healthy development of community kids while having fun with your friends. Form a bowling team of six people and raise pledges to help more kids get matched with caring adult mentors. The goal for each person is $125, for a team total goal of $750. Bigs and Littles can also raise pledges and bowl together as a mini-team. If your team meets this goal you will have raised enough money to support one match for one year. Big Brothers Big Sisters helps over 500 kids each year in Douglas County alone. Every dollar you raises goes to making more matches for kids who need them.  Celebrate your success at an awesome bowling party!
“BFKS” generates one-third of our annual operating budget and is the single largest source of funds and new “Bigs.” Pledges you raise in Bowl For Kids’ Sake will create new matches for kids on our waiting list. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Douglas County served 524 children in 2010. However, with additional children referred to the program weekly, many are still on the waiting list. We are committed to doing all we can to provide these kids with the caring mentor they so desperately need.  
This annual event is held in April.  Team building packets are available at the Big Brothers Big Sisters office starting in January. To register online, access our BFKS website: douglas.kintera.org. You can also become a fan of BFKS Douglas County on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/BFKSDougCoBBBS.

Summer Picnic

Big Brothers Big Sisters invites Bigs and Littles to join us for our “Summer Magic” picnic!  This annual event is held in July. We encourage matches to bring friends or family who are interested in learning more about the program and friends who are interested in being a Big so that they can experience the Magic of being matched with a Little Brother or Sister. 

Police Vs Fire Charity Football Challenge

For the benefit of Big Brothers Big Sisters, Douglas County’s finest have issued a friendly challenge to be settled over a game of Flag Football. A team of Douglas County Fire Fighters plays against a team of Douglas County Law Enforcement Officers, including members of the Lawrence Police Department, Sheriff’s Department and KU Police. This annual game takes place at the Lawrence High School Football Stadium in August. Everyone is welcome to attend and cheer for the teams. The winner gets bragging rights and a trophy that will be passed along to the winning team each year. There is a suggested donation of $5 to attend the game and all proceeds benefit BBBS. 

 

Hawks, Cops, & Kids

Big Brothers Big Sisters would like to invite all 3rd-8th graders to Hawks, Cops, and Kids. This annual event takes place in October. Local law enforcement and KU athletes will join together to host this fun-filled event. The day will be full of activities such as football, soccer and volleyball. Participants will also have the opportunity to talk about personal safety, bullying, and health and wellness. The main focuses of the day are to learn about teamwork, how to make smart and healthy choices, and also to have fun! All participants will be provided a sack lunch and receive a free T-Shirt. Hawks, Cops, and Kids takes place at the Robinson Center at the University of Kansas from 9:00am-12:30pm. Applications will be accepted till the event date.  

Gingerbread Festival & Auction

Be a Gingerbread House Builder for Big Brothers Big Sisters!  Are you interested in helping Big Brothers Big Sisters match more kids in Douglas County?  Become a Builder and help make the our annual Gingerbread Festival and Auction a success! Community members of all ages are welcome to participate. There are three divisions including adults, children ages 5-18, and a Bigs and Littles division for matches to participate in together. After the houses are built and donated, they will be on display to the public for three days prior to the event. They will then be judged for prizes and selected entries will be auctioned off. All proceeds will go to Big Brothers Big Sisters. This annual event takes place in December.  Applications are available at the Big Brothers Big Sisters office starting in October.

Breakfast with Santa

This annual event is held in December.  Long Horn Steak House sponsors Breakfast with Santa for all current Littles and Littles on the waiting list. Littles and their families are served breakfast then Santa gives gifts to the children. Parents or Bigs are welcome to attend. There is a limited amount of space so all who wish to attend must RSVP to the Big Brothers Big Sisters office.